Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce’s Complete Relationship Timeline

Can you believe it? Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are doing brand synergy to promote Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl. It seems like just yesterday, the world’s jaw was on the ground as Swift made her first appearance at a Kansas City Chiefs game, and now her cameos in the stadiums are almost a given. Swift cheered on Kelce in the stands during the first two games of the season after taking the Eras Tour to Europe over the summer— where Kelce reciprocated the support, even joining her on stage during “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.” It’s almost too cute to function, but how did we get from a podcast crush to dance partners? After all, Kelce was the one who made the first move on Swift when shooting his shot on the New Heights podcast— he called her out for allegedly not meeting people on the day of performances, as he wanted to give her a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it. Now, she’s on said podcast, thanking them for getting her a boyfriend. To say a lot has happened since then would be an understatement.

Here is the play-by-play of the dating timeline between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, including Swift’s album announcement coming full circle on New Heights.

2016: Kelce Plays “Kiss, Marry, Kill”

In an interview with AfterBuzz TV, Kelce plays a round of “Kiss, Marry, Kill” with Swift, Katy Perry, and Ariana Grande. Like any sane person, Kelce objects to the interviewer keeping “kill” in there when “fuck” has been replaced with “kiss.” That says something very ugly about society, no? Kelce says he’d kill Grande, “kiss” Tayla, and marry Katy Perry. Mind you, this is when Perry and Swift were still beefing. Not until the “You Need to Calm Down” video, where Perry was the hamburger to Swift’s fries, did the two publicly end their feud. But it’s possible Kelce was too immersed in the ball-is-lifestyle to know about pop-star feuds. (Wait until he hears about Perry and that nun.)

Halloween 2020: Someone’s Psychic

Normally when there’s psychic predictions around football, it’s some sort of animal that can predict who’s gonna win the Super Bowl or something. But a couple at a 2020 Halloween party predicted the Swift/Kelce pairing a full three years before such things were even on the horizon. If they want to guess who’s going to win the Super Bowl in 2024, we won’t stop them.

February 2023: Brother vs. Brother

At Super Bowl LVII, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against Jason Kelce and the Philadelphia Eagles. Swift is an avowed Eagles fan, referencing the team in Evermore’s “Gold Rush.” This, dear friends, is what we in the fanfic biz call an enemies-to-lovers arc.

Kelce rubbed salt in his brother’s wound in his Saturday Night Live monologue, while also making reference to his canceled dating show Catching Kelce. So what you’re saying, Trav, is that you’re not averse to smooching on-camera? Good to know, good to know.

That same month, Kelce was seen dancing to “Love Story,” so baby just say yes.

August 2023: Best Believe Kelce’s Still Be-Stached

In another New Heights ep, the Kelce bros talk about Trav’s new mustache. Apparently, Kelce does the ’stache every training camp in honor of Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid. Jason asks if Travis knows what Swift thinks of the new facial hair. “We’re not gonna bring up Taylor Swift in this episode,” Travis says, “but something tells me she’s gonna like it.”

The next day, Travis Kelce goes on The Pat McAfee Show and admits he’s invited Swift to come watch him play. “I told her, ‘I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead, you might have to come see me rock a stage at Arrowhead and we can see which one’s a little more lit,’” he said. “We’ll see what happens in the near future.”

September 22, 2023: Preparing the Getaway Car

Kelce was spotted at the Kelce Car Jam Friday night, a fundraiser for his Eighty-Seven and Running Foundation, wearing a “Viligante Shit” friendship bracelet throughout the event. He was probably prepping the getaway car by drawing inspiration from a sultry dance number from the Eras Tour. Kelce’s following a play from Swift’s book by leaving Easter Eggs for Swifties.

September 24, 2023: Let’s Fucking GO!

Swift is spotted cheering on the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, right next to Travis Kelce’s mom. When Kelce scored a touchdown, Swift appeared to yell “Let’s fucking go!” and chest-bump her newfound Chiefs fan friends. As Swifties will know, Taylor Swift is an inveterate mom-meeter. So this is less of a big step than it may seem. But the pair were filmed leaving the stadium, papped in the getaway car, and rumored to have bought out an entire KC restaurant in order to dine privately.

Kelce said on his podcast that he intends to keep any future hangouts with Swift more quiet than this initial one. “What’s real is that it is my personal life and I want to respect both of our lives,” he said. “She’s not into media like I am — doing this show every single week, and having fun during the NFL season on other guys’ shows, and any other show I go on from here on out. I am enjoying life and I sure as hell enjoyed this weekend, so everything moving forward, me talking about sports and saying ‘alright nah’ will have to be kinda where I keep it.”

September 29, 2023: Heidi Klum Extends an Invitation

Swift and Kelce may be planning more dates that take place outside of a stadium. Heidi Klum told the Daily Mail that she would “love to invite” the couple to her annual Halloween party and that they’d even be welcome without an invitation. She says, “If they would just show up, I’m sure no one at the door will turn them away.” I mean, she’s not wrong. The Daily Mail also alleges that the couple has joked about dressing as Barbie and Ken for Halloween. But since Swift is someone who’s dressed up as Deadpool, Olaf, and a Pegacorn in the past, maybe she has something more elaborate up her sleeve for this year’s costume.

October 1, 2023: Hugh Jackman and Jake From State Farm Join the Polycule

It is once again Game Day in America, and everyone is following the movements of the first family. Mama Kelce started the day watching Jason play, sitting next to Jake from State Farm for some reason. Good for her? After the Eagles beat the Washington Commanders 34-31, Mama Kelce headed over to Trav’s game. Accompanying her in the famous folks box, per ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, are Swift, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, and newly single Hugh Jackman. So it’s not just State Farm that’s got her covered. Sabrina Carpenter, Sophie Turner, and Antoni from Queer Eye rounded out the who’s who at the game. Suck it, Met Gala!

October 8, 2023: A Blank Space in the Stands

Swift skipped the Chiefs/Vikings game October 8, disappointing those Swifties who have already made wedding presents for Traylor. Swift doesn’t return to the Eras Tour until next month, but also there are plenty of other things that could occupy a Sunday besides showing up to your rumored link’s game. Working on the two Taylor’s Versions left to record, for example. Or going out tonight. Kelce suffered a no-contact injury in the first quarter, but he was back by the third. Already the Swifties are coming for artificial turf.

October 12, 2023: She’s Ba-ack

Swift takes no days off. She met up with Beyoncé in Los Angeles on October 11 for the premiere of her Eras Tour movie, but managed to make it back to Arrowhead Stadium the next night to watch the Kansas City Chiefs win against the Denver Broncos. At the very least, it was another successful date with Mama Kelce.

October 14, 2023: PDA at SNL

Kelce and Swift both made brief appearances on the Saturday Night Live season 49 premiere. Kelce cameo’d in a sketch, and Swift introduced musical guest Ice Spice. Of his cameo, Kelce said on his podcast “I don’t even remember what I said, I blacked out. As soon as they queued to me, the entire place erupted, which was very overwhelming.”

According to the New York Post, the pair were kissing at the after party (at Catch Steak, in flagrant disregard for what the ladies of RHONY feel about that particular restaurant group.) Kelce allegedly asked Swift’s bodyguards to stand down, a rumor he addressed on New Heights. Kelce said he did not push a bodyguard out of the way, but merely tapped him in an “ope lemme scooch on by” fashion. He did cop to protective behavior in front of paparazzi. “I feel like whenever I’m on a date I’m always having the sense of like, I’m a man in the situation, I’m like protective, yeah for sure,” he said. “You always kind of have that feeling, or that self-awareness, I guess.” The pair were papped holding hands as they left Nobu later that night. It’s officialish?

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October 20, 2023: Kelce Gives Halloween Advice

While SAG stars scramble to ensure their Halloween fits comply with the strike guidelines, Kelce gives scab-free costume advice. “The ‘stache and the 87 jersey were pretty iconic,” he answered in a press conference on the perfect Traylor costume. “I had [the mustache] when I met Taylor for the first time… maybe a bracelet.” Just add a little red lipstick and foundation on the nose from the SNL night and it’s a perfect look.

October 22, 2023: WAG Handshakes

Taylor Swift has become such a mainstay at Chiefs games that the statisticians have gotten involved. Not only did Vulture do its own investigation, the NFL put up an infographic during Sunday’s game looking at how well Kelce plays depending on whether or not Swift is in attendance. Swift has also developed a celebratory handshake with Brittany Mahomes.

October 23, 2023: How You Get the Girl

We are truly in the 1989 era, folks, and almost nine years ago to the date, Swift gave Kelce the guide to win her heart. Say, it’s been a long six months since the news broke that Swift and Alwyn broke up. Now, with Kelce, he’s giving her pictures on the ‘gram, with kisses on cheeks (cheeks). Chariah Gordon, girlfriend of Chief’s Mecole Hardman Jr., posted a cute pic with Swift giving Kelce some PDA post-game.

December 6, 2023: Swift Opens Up

It took being named Time’s “Person of the Year” for Swift to give her first print interview since the folklore–evermore era, where she spoke about her relationship with Kelce. Swift said their relationship began shortly after Kelce spoke about her on New Heights, calling that move “metal as hell.” “So we actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other,” she said. So, no, that first Chiefs game wasn’t their first date. “We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date,” she added. And, yeah, she’s honestly been enjoying those games. “Football is awesome, it turns out,” Swift said. “I’ve been missing out my whole life.”

December 10, 2023: Tony Romo Ships It

Swift once again attended a Chiefs game, this time as they played the Buffalo Bills. Tony Romo accidentally called Swift Travis Kelce’s wife during the broadcast. Which is something much of SwiftTok is predicting for 2024 anyway. Romo’s just getting in on the ground floor.

December 25, 2023: Christmas in Kansas City

Swift brought the whole family to support Kelce on Christmas Day in Kansas City: Mama Swift, Papa Swift, and Santa Swift— it looks like the bearded gift giver is seemingly Austin Swift. She wore a Santa hat with 87 embroidered on the cap as she cheered on her man.

April 19, 2024: Kelce Makes It on an Album His Rookie Year

Despite working on The Tortured Poets Department for a few years, Swift found some time to sneak in a few songs about her latest romance on the album. “The Alchemy,” “So High School,” and the end of “But Daddy I Love Him” are seemingly about Kelce, with the lyric video of “So High School” highlighting their initials in the visuals.

May 9, 2024: From Getting Snubbed at the Eras Tour to Getting on the Set List

We began our journey with Kelce trying and failing to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it. Now, he’s in the Eras Tour. During the newly added Tortured Poets section, Swift includes a shortened version of “So High School,” where she and her dancers are swag surfing and doing Kelce’s game-day moves in the bleachers.

May 12, 2024: Kelce en Paris

Emily in Paris? More like Kelce in Paris. After filming Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie earlier in the week, Kelce flew across the pond to see Swift perform at the Eras Tour. She wore Chiefs-inspired colors during the 1989 era and seemingly dedicated the surprise song mash-up “The Alchemy” and “Treacherous” to him.

June 2, 2024: Da Pressure to Propose

At the annual Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in Kansas City, Travis Kelce joined Da Superfans for a sketch. Jason Sudeikis, Robert Smigel, and George Wendt hectored Kelce to (1) make Taylor pony up for a new stadium and (2) propose already. “When are you going to make an honest woman out of her? Taylor doesn’t need to be working anymore. I know your kicker agrees with me,” an in-character Sudeikis said, in reference to Chiefs kicker/trad hub Harrison Butker.

September 3, 2024: Hit maker, play maker

Swift isn’t just supporting Kelce from the stands; she’s writing up plays for him to use on the field. He confirmed the rumor to Rich Eisen, sharing that while Coach Reid hasn’t taken a look at the plays yet, they are very much real. Now, it’s Kelce’s turn to write a setlist for her (please add “Right Where You Left Me,” thanks).

September 4, 2024: Fake News Get Debunked

A fake PR breakup plan began circulating on Reddit, and Kelce’s PR team, Full Scope, embraced their inner Tree Paine and shut down the rumors. In a statement sent to the Daily Mail, the team wrote: “We have engaged our legal team to initiate proceedings against the individuals or entities responsible for the unlawful and injurious forgery of documents.” That’s some Swift legal action.

September 5, 2024: Down Bad Barking at the Gym or Whatever

Swift wore a two piece denim outfit that fully cemented her place in the football WAG Hall of Fame. Or at least the Canadian Tuxedo Hall of Fame for Baddies— why not both?

September 8, 2024: Karaoke Time at US Open

While people were stressing over Swift’s friendship with Brittany Mahomes, Swift and Kelce treated their suite at the US Open like a karaoke bar (or a sports bar, Trav we saw you on your phone).

September 11, 2024: Travy Gets a Shout Out

While winning the biggest award of the night at the VMAs, Swift did not forget to say his name when thanking those closest to her for the win. “When I’d finish a take, and I’d say cut, and we’d be done with that take, I’d always just hear someone like cheering and like ‘whoo’ from across the studio,” Swift praised. “And that one person was my boyfriend Travis. Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.” I just hope Travis brought that same energy to Grotesquerie.

September 15, 2024: Back to Business

Photo: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After becoming the most decorated VMAs artist, Swift went back to wearing knee high boots at Chiefs’s games, with a HAIM sister of course.

December 19, 2024: Travis threw Taylor a surprise birthday party

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Kelce planned a surprise party for Swift’s 35th birthday celebrating all things Eras tour: it had a cleaning cart, witchy willow dances, and glitter, obviously. Swift even got the final 22 hat.

February 9, 2025: Super Bowl woes

Tired: The Chiefs lost the Super Bowl
Wired: Kelce can get the full experience listening to sad Swift songs.

June 13, 2025: Stanley cup

Now that both Swift and Kelce are in the off season, they’re enjoying a date night out at the Stanley Cup finals.

June 25, 2025: Surprise performance at the Tight End University

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Swift can’t stay away from a guitar, and Kelce can’t stop stanning 1989. Swift performed at Kelce’s Tight End University concert, surprising the crowd by singing “Shake It Off.”

July 24, 2025: Travis shares pics of their summer together

Swift has had a long break from the internet at this point, and thankfully, Kelce saved us from the drought with some highlights of their summer so far. They seemingly conquered land (Travis was in the woods with Jason and Taylor’s brother Austin), sea (Trav and Tay wore sailor hats), and sky (surely they had to use a plane at some point).

July 25, 2025: Taylor reviews Happy Gilmore 2

She’s a movie girl at heart. Swift returned to social media to praise Kelce’s performance in Happy Gilmore 2. “Happy Gilmore 2 had me cackling and cheering the whole movie! An absolute must watch, 13/10, go watch it on @netflix as soon as humanly possible,” Swift wrote on Instagram Stories.

August 12, 2025: No, they’re really in love

Kelce set the record straight. Despite the massive media attention circling their relationship, he told GQ that their love story “happened very organically.” “When there is not a camera on us, we’re just two people that are in love. It can be perceived as something else because of how much it is talked about and how much we are tracked whenever we do go out,” he explained.

August 13, 2025: New newsssssss

It’s all coming full circle. A romance that started with a podcast has transformed into the start of a new music era announcement for The Life of a Showgirl. Swift thanked the podcast for getting her a boyfriend and made fun of Kelce for not going through the proper channels to try to meet her. He thought he could just talk to the elevator employee that he knows to let him in backstage. She also shared she never got the friendship bracelet with his phone number.